Balanced Pirates prevail
By Dave Melton Post-Tribune correspondent January 3, 2012 11:10PM
Merrillville's John Mosley heads to the basket against Valparaiso's John Mosser Tuesday evening, January 3, 2012 at Valparaiso High School. | Michael Gard~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 5, 2012 8:17AM
VALPARAISO — Whether shooting from the outside or taking it to the rim, Merrillville’s balanced offensive approach was too much for Valparaiso to handle, as the Pirates scored a 57-42 victory over their DAC rivals.
A trio of Pirates led the scoring: BJ Jenkins (17 points), John Mosley (14 points) and Zoran Talley (13 points).
“I think we had a pretty good balance on offense tonight,” Merrillville (5-4, 4-2 DAC) coach TJ Lux said. “We need a guy like John that can score inside on the block for us. BJ and Zoran continue to play well for us while shooting the basketball. We need that interior and exterior balance like any good basketball team.”
Said Valparaiso (7-2, 4-2 DAC) coach Joe Otis: “They did a lot of things well and they deserve a lot of credit for their performance. They just outplayed us in almost every respect.”
The first quarter ended with Merrillville in front 13-11, before the Pirates broke the game open in the second quarter. Jenkins and Talley each scored five points in the period, part of a 12-0 run that gave the Pirates a 25-15 halftime lead.
“It seemed like our team was hesitant right from the start,” Otis said. “There’s no way to simulate their quickness in practice so that’s something we just have to adjust to.”
Valparaiso generated some momentum late in the third quarter, and a 3-pointer by Vikings junior Brody Wilson cut the deficit to six. But on the ensuing possession, Merrillville’s Jalen Wilbert responded with a 3 of his own, sparking an 8-0 Pirates run and moving their lead back into double digits. Valparaiso would not threaten again.
“I was debating whether or not to call a timeout there,” Lux said. “Jalen stepping up and knocking down that 3 was the biggest play of the game for us.”
The news wasn’t all positive for the Pirates, though. After the game, Lux revealed that senior center Edward Seay will be out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee.
“I feel for the kid … it’s a shame he won’t get to enjoy the reward from all the hard work he’s put in for the last four years,” said Lux. “It’s going to take a team effort; you don’t just replace a kid like Edward.”
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